Boom for sailing-yachts



(No Model.)

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BOOM FOR SAILING YACHTS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK O. JOHNSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOOM FOR SAILING=YACHTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,673, dated March 1, 1887.

Application filed October 27, 1886. Serial No. 217,298. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. J oENsoN, of Boston, in the county ofl Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Booms for Sailing-Yachts, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specication.

The object of my invention is to provide for sailing-yachts and similar craft a jointed boom so constructed that the distance between its ends may be temporarily lessened when desired and quickly restored.

My improvement is illustrated in the drawings as applied to the spinnaker-boom of a,

pleasure yacht for the purpose of so shortening it as to permit its peak to pass under the guy-rope of the bowsprit, in order to shift it from side to side without disconnecting its foot from the mast. My invention includes such jointed boom and also its combination with suitable fastenings and hoisting` apparatus.

Figure l represents a yacht provided with my improvement, the boom being represented as bent at the joint and ready to be hoisted vertically and dropped into position to be used on the other tack, such new position being indicated by dotted lines. Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged details of a suitable form of joint. Fig. 4 shows a coupling orstrengtheningsleeve therefor, and Fig. 5 represents the parts in position for use.

Ordinarily, in coming about, the spinnaker-'boom has to be disconnected at its foot and carried away laterally from the gooseneck or other support at the base of the mast, because its length istoo great to otherwise pass under the guylrope running from the mast to the bowsprit. Such disconnection, removal, and replacement are very laborious and consume much time, which in racing contests is of vital consequence. A large proportion of this time and labor can be saved by the use of my improvement.

In the drawings, A and B represent the two sections of the jointed boom united at O by a i' 1 rr suitable joint, and furnished with a fastening to render the boom practically rigid at the joint when desired. The lower section, A, is permanently connected tothe base of the mast, preferably by the goose-neck D and a universal joint, to permit free movement, and a suitable hoisting-tackle, E, is provided, so as t0 handle the boom to the best advantage. G is the guy-rope,extending from the mast-head to the bowsprit.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate one form of joint, in which the boom is divided into two sections by a longitudinal and two oblique cuts. These ends are united by a pin, F, which passes transversely through the prolongation of these sections and through a re-entorcing i strip, H, of metalatxed to each. An internal sliding bolt, J, worked by a pin, K, in a slot, may be employed to hold the sections in proper position for use, and a spring, L, may work the bolt andcause the parts to engage automatically. I provide, also, a sleeve, S, arranged to slide over and cover the joint, for greater strength and better iinish. Figs. 2 and 4 show this sleeve with a slot and terminal recesses to admit a stud, T, fixed in one section of the boom. By partially turning this sleeve it slides over the joint and stiffens it materially. The bolt J may be arranged to engage with a similar sleeve or a xed band.

The operation will readily be understood, and its advantages are obvious.

I claim as my invention- A boom permanently and adj ustably secured at the foot of the mast and jointed at a point between its ends, ening for such joint and a suitable hoisting apparatus, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this speeiiieation,in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses, on this 18th day of October, A. D. 1886.

FRANK O. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

A. H. SPENCER, ELIHU G. LooMIs.

in combination with a fast- 

